Germany has begun major military exercises aimed at transferring troops and equipment to Lithuania, the Associated Press reported. The exercises are being held amid rising tensions with Russia on NATO's eastern border, BTA reports.
The exercise began in the port of Rostock, where military vehicles were loaded onto a ferry for the Lithuanian city of Klaipeda. The ferry was escorted by a corvette, minesweeper and helicopter. During the exercise, experts demonstrated intercepting drones, and “Eurofighter“ fighters flew over the port.
The exercise is being conducted under the leadership of the German navy and includes the army and air force. It involves more than 8,000 troops from 14 countries, including all NATO Baltic allies, the United States, Britain, France and Canada. The total military contingent includes 40 ships, 20 aircraft and more than 1,800 ground vehicles.
General Carsten Breuer, the head of the German army, stressed: “Today we are seeing up close what it means for Germany to take on international responsibility and act as a reliable supply hub for NATO. Almost all supply routes to the eastern flank pass through Germany.“
Amid fears of Russian aggression, Germany increased its military presence in Lithuania in May. The German-led exercise will last several weeks and will coincide with the joint Russian-Belarusian “Zapad“ exercises, in which more than 13,000 soldiers are expected to participate.
Gen. Breuer stressed that the goal is deterrence, not escalation, warning that Russia could use the "West" exercise to increase uncertainty and threats of escalation.